Myton had previously been a member of The Tartans in the late 1960s (along with Prince Lincoln Thompson, Devon Russell and Lindburgh Lewis), and Ras Michael's group, and had recorded with Thompson's Royal Rasses in the mid-1970s. He formed the Congos, initially as a duo with Johnson, recording the single "At the Feast" for Lee "Scratch" Perry. Perry expanded the group to a trio with the addition of Burnett, this line-up recording the classic roots reggae album Heart of the Congos in 1977 at Perry's Black Ark studio. The album featured illustrious backing singers such as Gregory Isaacs, The Meditations, and Barry LLewellyn and Earl Morgan of The Heptones. The album has been described as "the most consistently brilliant album of Scratch's entire career".
Perry's previous productions by Max Romeo and Junior Murvin had been huge commercial successes thanks to a deal with Island Records, but Perry was in dispute with Island at the time the Congos' album was finished, so it was released on his own Black Ark label, limiting its success overseas, and causing a rift with the group. The Congos went their own way, organising a limited pressing of the album themselves. United Kingdom label Go Feet eventually reissued the album in 1980, and although the group had recorded new material since leaving Perry, Heart of the Congos proved a hard act to follow and their other releases suffered as a consequence. Albums such as Congo Ashanti were sparser and sounded ordinary compared to Perry's kitchen-sink-and-all massive productions.
Burnett quit the group, soon followed by Johnson, who embarked on a solo career. Myton continued to record as The Congos with various other musicians until the mid-1980s.
In the mid-1990s, The Congos reformed, with Myton and Burnett joined by Lindburgh Lewis, several albums following in subsequent years. In 2005 Myton recorded Give Them the Rights with a host of backup singers and star session players such as Sly and Robbie and Earl "Chinna" Smith, very much in the spiritual 70s roots vein. In 2006, the UK reggae revival label Blood and Fire released the album Fisherman Style featuring a remixed version of the classic cut "Fisherman" from Heart of the Congos plus such legends as Horace Andy, Big Youth, Dillinger, Prince Jazzbo, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Max Romeo, Mykal Rose, Dean Fraser, Sugar Minott, and U-Roy doing their own new versions over the original rhythm.
In 2002, they appeared on the album The Slackers and Friends by the ska/reggae band The Slackers.
In 2008, The Congos appeared in the independent feature film, Wah Do Dem which captures them performing "Fisherman," and "Congoman Chant," under a full moon at Helshire Beach outside Kingston.
In 2009, Myton, Burnett, and Johnson reunited with Perry to record the album Back in the Black Ark, which, despite its title, was recorded at Myton's studio in Portmore and at Mixing Lab, Kingston.
Don't Blame On I
The Congos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you blame it on I and I
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
For, when a guy took a bank out there
They blame it on I and I now
They blame it on Rastafari
Anything di heathen do
I and I a get the blame
Anything di heathen do
I and I a get the blame (Yeah-yeah, wo-ho)
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't you blame it on I and I (Yeah)
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't you blame it on Rastafari (Wo-ho; uh)
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't you blame it on I and I (No!)
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
For, if a guy took a bank out there
They blame it on I and I now
And when a wolf kill a guy out there
They blame it on Rastafari
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't blame it on I and I (No)
Don't blame it on I (I tell you)
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
Don't blame it on I
Don't you blame it on I and I
Don't blame it on I
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
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The Congos
The lyrics to The Congos' song "Don't Blame On I" express a frustration and sense of injustice that the singer feels towards being unfairly blamed for the actions of others. The repetition of the line "Don't you blame it on I" emphasizes the plea for exoneration and serves as a proclamation of innocence.
In particular, the lyrics mention instances where criminal activities occur, such as a bank robbery or a killing by a wolf, and yet the blame is placed on the singer and Rastafari. This suggests a societal tendency to assign responsibility to marginalized groups or minority beliefs, rather than holding the actual perpetrators accountable.
The repeated line "Anything di heathen do, I and I a get the blame" further highlights this theme of unjust scapegoating. The word "heathen" refers to those who do not adhere to the singer's religious beliefs or moral code, implying that the blame is often unfairly placed on those who are different or hold alternative perspectives.
By mentioning Rastafari, a spiritual movement originating in Jamaica, the lyrics draw attention to a specific marginalized group that has historically faced discrimination and misunderstanding. Blaming Rastafari for acts they have not committed suggests a larger pattern of prejudice and bias in society.
Ultimately, the lyrics serve as a call for fairness and understanding. The plea to not blame the singer or Rastafari highlights the need to challenge prejudice and stereotypes, and to recognize the individuality and agency of those wrongly accused.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you blame it on I
Do not attribute the blame to me
Don't you blame it on I and I
Do not attribute the blame to me and my community
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
I am telling you not to blame it on me
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
Do not attribute the blame to the Rastafari belief system
For, when a guy took a bank out there
When someone robbed a bank in that place
They blame it on I and I now
They unfairly put the blame on me and my community
For, when a wolf kill a guy out there
When someone was killed by a dangerous person in that place
They blame it on Rastafari
They unfairly put the blame on the Rastafari belief system
Anything di heathen do
Whatever wrongdoings the non-believers commit
I and I a get the blame
Me and my community are held responsible
Yeah-yeah, wo-ho
Expressing agreement and frustration
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
I am telling you not to blame it on me
Don't you blame it on I and I (Yeah)
Do not attribute the blame to me and my community
Don't you blame it on Rastafari (Wo-ho; uh)
Do not attribute the blame to the Rastafari belief system
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
I am telling you not to blame it on me
Don't you blame it on I and I (No!)
Do not attribute the blame to me and my community (No!)
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
I am telling you not to blame it on me
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
Do not attribute the blame to the Rastafari belief system
Don't you blame it on I (I tell you)
I am telling you not to blame it on me
Don't blame it on I and I (No)
Do not attribute the blame to me and my community (No)
Don't blame it on I (I tell you)
I am telling you not to blame it on me
Don't you blame it on Rastafari
Do not attribute the blame to the Rastafari belief system
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Yusuf Salad Nor, Watty Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@greglong1432
Don't you blame it on I
Don't you blame it on I and I
Don't you blame it on I, I tell ya
Don't you blame it on RASTAFARI
For when a guy TOOK a bank OUT THERE
They blame it on I and I, now
For when a wolf kill a guy OUT THERE
They blame it on RASTAFARI
Anything THE HEATHEN DO
I and I a get THE BLAME
Anything THE HEATHEN DO
I and I a get THE BLAME
Don't you blame it on I, I tell ya
Don't you blame it on I and I, yeah
Don't you blame it on I, I tell ya
Don't you blame it on RASTAFARI
Don't you blame it on I, I tell ya
Don't you blame it on I and I, no
Don't you blame it on I, I tell ya
Don't you blame it on RASTAFARI
For if a guy TOOK a bank OUT THERE
They blame it on I and I, now
And when a wolf kill a guy OUT THERE
They blame it on…
@BLINDHAVOK
I watched Kiss of the Dragon the other day with my fiance… this song is unforgettable 💯😎
@louloup4607
so well puted into the movie ;) we feel it so much when it kicks in that taxi ! Bless upon you and your fiancé :)
@provethioaltum3276
Lol same black guy in car😂😂😂
@patagard8253
I watch the movie to hear this song, talking about a well placed product....this is it!!!
@lifeoflittlepaws1211
dayyuumm,i just started watching this movie n find this song🤩
@captainsoap6003
kiss of the dragon brought me here. ❤🔥
@juliustetevano6113
Haha. That scene is the best lol. "Do you this music"
@captainsoap6003
@@juliustetevano6113 brother it's the best part of the movie
@luisvillasenor3311
Watched Kiss of the dragon back in 2001 and this song always stuck with me.
@veronicavaldez1896
Yes me too